FUNAFUTI, 24 FEBRUARY 2015 (FENUI NEWS) — Communities living near Tuvalu’s coastal and low-lying areas were affected by king tides over the weekend.
The king tide peak of 3.4 metres was observed on Thursday 19 February.Over the weekend, coastal areas of Fongafale were flooded by storm surges from the lagoon side.The king tide forced debris onto the main roads making access to the northern and southern ends of the island difficult.Senior Meteorology Observer Elifaleti Ene said the king tide receded on Sunday February 22.He said this is a normal during this time of the year when low lying areas are the most affected.Fenui News observed that low-lying and coastal areas including burrow pits opposite Mac Kenzie Trading store were flooded.Residents whose pig pens were located on the eastern side of the island had to leave their vehicles on the opposite side of the airfield and crossed on foot to feed their pigs on the other side.Areas near the burrow pits were swamped with water from overflowed burrow pits.Fenui learned that the highest peak tide recorded by the MET office was 3.4mtrs on 24 February in 2006….SOURCE:PACNEWS